Section Policy Number Effective Date D D2 07/20/2015 Policy Issued As Reference Policy # Confined Space B1, B2, B4, C4, TBD Subject Approval: Donald Norman, Fire Chief PURPOSE This standard operating procedure/guideline addresses response to and operations during confined space rescue situations; may also include information on equipment use and maintenance. The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines for conducting confined space rescue operations. Confined spaces include caverns, tunnels, pipes, tanks, and any other locations where ventilation and access are restricted by the configuration of the space. These factors may also apply to basements or attics. Confined space incidents may involve injured persons, persons asphyxiated or overcome by toxic substances, cave-ins or fires occurring within the space. Pre-incident planning is an important factor in dealing with these situations. PROCEDURES Response to and Operations during Confined Space Rescue Situations: TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Phase I Arrive On-Scene. Take Command. Size-Up. I. THE PRIMARY ASSESSMENT a. Command should attempt to secure an R.P. or witness to the accident to determine exactly what happened. b. An immediate assessment of the hazards present to rescuers should be done. c. Identify any language barriers that may be present between witness(es) and rescuers. If there are language barriers present, Command should call for a bilingual individual to assist with communications with witness(es) and/or victims. d. If no witness is present, Command may have to look for clues on the scene that may indicate what has happened. e. An assessment of the victim(s) should be done. f. Command should determine how many victims have been affected. g. Command should determine how long the victims have been down, the mechanism of injury, and the survivability profile of the victim. h. An early decision must be made as to whether the operation will be run in the rescue or recovery mode. Ask alarm times, from Dispatch to first on-scene companies, plus reaction time. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 1 of 12
II. i. Establish communications with the victim as soon as possible. j. Locate confined space permit and all other information about the space. THE SECONDARY ASSESSMENT a. The Confined Space 1. Command should determine what type of confined space this is. This can be done by consulting with the R.P. 2. What type of products are stored in this space. 3. What known hazards are present; mechanical, electrical, etc. 4. Location and number of victims affected. 5. Diagram of confined space, including entry and egress locations. 6. Structural stability of the confined space. 7. Hazardous material size-up. 8. Obtain copy of permit. b. On-Scene Personnel and Equipment 1. Command should determine if there is an adequate number of trained personnel on scene to do the rescue/recovery; at least eight (8). 2. Command should consider the effect of temperature extremes on personnel, and consider early rotation of personnel operating on scene, approximately every 15 to 20 minutes, 30 minutes in the winter. c. Command should consider if the proper equipment is on-scene to complete the operation. This includes, but is not limited to: d. Atmospheric monitoring equipment. *Command shall have at least one hazardous materials response unit with hazmat support unit to provide atmospheric monitoring. e. Explosion proof lighting. f. Explosion proof communications. g. Supplied air breathing apparatus or remote air. h. Cascade system. i. Victim removal systems/equipment. j. Ventilation equipment with a CFM of 4000-5000 with necessary duct work. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 2 of 12
Phase II Pre-Entry Operations I. MAKE THE GENERAL AREA SAFE a. Establish a perimeter with tape and assign Police to assure an access point. The size of the perimeter should be dictated by the atmospheric conditions, wind direction, structural stability, etc. b. Stop all unnecessary traffic in the area. c. Assure vehicles park downwind from incident if vehicles are running (far enough that exhaust vapors do not impact scene, and far enough not to be impacted by vapors from the incident). d. Establish ventilation to general area if necessary. e. Assign Lobby Group at perimeter entrance. f. Assign Safety Group. g. Assign Rehab Group. II. MAKE THE RESCUE AREA SAFE a. Command should assign a Hazard Group to determine exactly what hazards and products are within the confined space. b. Hazard Group shall do atmospheric testing in the space to determine oxygen level, flammability, and toxicity prior to and during all entries into a confined space. Based on readings, Hazard Group should advise Command of the proper level of personal protective equipment. Any instruments used to monitor the confined space shall have: 1. An audio-alarm. 2. Be calibrated to 10% of the LEL of the calibrant gas. 3. Have the audio-alarm set at: O2 19.5%, low ad O2 enriched 23.5% Flammability 10% alarm set Toxicity carbon monoxide 35 ppm Hydrogen sulfide 10 ppm 4. Any O2 readings below 12%, Command should recognize that the LEL reading will not be accurate. Hazard Group shall give Command atmosphere readings at least every 5 minutes with an announcement of offensive or defensive mode (i.e., rescue or recovery). 5. Atmospheric monitoring shall occur during occupancy at intervals dependent on the possibility of changing conditions, but in no case less than hourly. 6. All atmospheric reading shall be recorded on a technical rescue work sheet. 7. In the event that the atmospheric readings become what are considered unsafe to continue operations, all entry teams shall be removed from the space immediately until such time as the atmospheric conditions are corrected. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 3 of 12
The Hazard and Ventilation Groups are extremely important parts of a confined space operation. They should be staffed by personnel with thorough knowledge of atmospheric monitoring and ventilation technique. III. c. Utilities, including electrical, gas and water should be secured and locked out. If it is not possible to lock/tagout/blankout, Safety Group shall post a guard to assure the utilities are not turned on during the operation. d. Any product that is in or flowing in the confined space must be secured and blanked off if possible. It may be determined that the space must be drained of any product prior to entry. e. Any manufacturing or processing equipment must be shut down prior to entry. If possible, all equipment should be locked/tagged out and brought to a zero energy state. f. The structural stability of the confined space should be evaluated. If there is a potential for collapse, appropriate measures must be taken to assure the structural stability of the space. VENTILATION a. Command should assign a Ventilation Group to establish the proper ventilation of the confined space. b. Ventilation Group should consult with Safety Group and Hazard Group to determine the proper type of ventilation for the space. c. Ventilation Group must consider the effects on the atmosphere that positive or negative pressure ventilation will have (i.e., increase or decrease flammability of atmosphere). It could require both positive and negative ventilation (pushing and pulling). This will be based on the vapor density or molecular weight of the product. d. Ventilation Group may consider negative pressure ventilation if there is only one entry point. Atmospheric monitoring will be required to ensure a non-explosive environment is present in the exhausted vapor area. e. Ventilation Group must also consider the effects the exhaust is having on the operation. f. If possible, open all additional openings into the space to assist with the ventilation process, i.e. Manholes Hatches Natural openings SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 4 of 12
Phase III Entry Operations. Victim Removal. I. SELECTION OF PERSONNEL a. The proper personnel shall be selected to make entry into the confined space. A minimum of two persons should be assigned to make entry. All personnel on the entry team shall have vital signs taken and recorded prior to entry, if time permits. b. Command shall assign a Rescue Group. Rescue Group shall provide a minimum 2:1 ratio of personnel outside the confined space to support personnel inside. This shall include a standby rescue team with a 1:1 ratio to provide immediate assistance to personnel in the confined space. c. All entry and back-up personnel should be properly trained in confined space rescue procedures and capable of carrying out the rescue/recovery. d. Extrication Group should be assigned to conduct the actual entry into the confined space. e. Extrication Group should consider the size of entry and back-up personnel to make entry. f. Once the best method and location for entry has been determined, teams shall begin entry and reconnaissance/rescue/recovery operations in the space. g. Entry decisions shall be made based on known locations of victims, safety of the opening, atmospheric readings and ease of recovery points. h. If possible, attempt a two-prong attack to reach the victim(s) if their location is known or suspected. i. Prior to entry, each team member shall be logged on a technical rescue work sheet with his or her time of entry. This function shall be assigned to one technician who shall keep the operations officer appraised of the status of each team. j. Teams shall be limited to 30 minutes in any space. k. Each team shall be assigned to rehab upon removal from the space until re-hydrated and vital signs are within normal limits a. Assure adequate interior team communications. b. Assure adequate communications with the operations exterior. Mark, if necessary, with chalk, cylumes or other method, entry and movement patterns to assure egress. c. Move towards the suspected victim location as a team. d. Beware of elevation differences and unstable footing. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 5 of 12
II. III. IV. SELECTION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT a. The proper level of personal protective equipment should be worn by all entry and backup personnel. This shall include helmet, gloves, proper footwear, goggles, turnouts, Nomex or PBI jumpsuits, and a Class II harness as a minimum, Class III is recommended. b. Extrication Group should determine this by consultation with Safety and Hazard Groups. c. All entry and back-up personnel shall wear SABA or SCBA when making entry into the confined space. SABA (supplied air breathing apparatus) is recommended. d. If entry personnel use an SCBA, they shall enter no farther than one half the amount of supplied air minus 500 lbs. EXAMPLE: 2000 PSI tank gauge pressure--1/2 = 1000 PSI minus 500 PSI = 500 PSI usage. e. Entry personnel shall use personal air monitoring devices that monitor flammability and O2 as a minimum. f. Entry personnel shall have a Class I or III harness on prior to entry. Class III harness shall be used if inversion of the rescuer is possible. g. No team shall enter a space with pagers or cell phones that are not intrinsically safe unless approved prior to entry, based on atmospheric monitoring, by the Safety Officer or Incident Command. COMMUNICATION AND LIGHTING a. If the confined space has a flammable atmosphere, entry personnel should have intrinsically safe or explosion proof communication equipment. If this equipment is not available, Extrication Group may decide to use a tag line for communication or a message relay person. Remember, these are Class I/Division I A-D type atmospheres until proven otherwise. b. If the entry team is entering a dark confined space, Extrication Group must ensure that the proper type of lighting is used. If explosion proof lighting is not available, then cyalume type lights must be used by the entry team. ORIENTATION OF CONFINED SPACE a. Prior to entry into the confined space, the Extrication Group, with the help of the R.P., should obtain a blue print or diagram of the space. All entry and backup personnel should be made aware of the layout of the space to be entered. b. All entry and back-up personnel, Command and Safety shall be made aware of the action plan and the back-up plan prior to entry. c. Rescuer tag lines may or may not be appropriate in the confined space, depending on the specific layout. It could be an entanglement hazard. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 6 of 12
V. VICTIM REMOVAL EQUIPMENT a. If possible, the entry team should bring a supply of breathable air for the victim. b. Pure oxygen shall not be used in a confined space that has a potentially flammable atmosphere. Rescuer should not remove their breathing apparatus and give it to the victim. c. Entry team should consider the necessary victim retrieval equipment prior to entry. This includes respiratory protection for the victim. VI. ASSESSING CONDITION OF VICTIM a. Upon reaching the victim, entry personnel should do an immediate primary survey of the victim. Is this rescue or recovery? Determine whether or not to start treatment immediately. b. Assure adequate communications with the operations exterior. c. Move toward the suspected victim(s) location as a team. d. Beware of elevation differences and unstable footing and communicate. e. A quick but thorough secondary assessment of the victim should be done. If time permits, entry personnel should attempt to treat serious injuries prior to removal. f. If indicated, complete C-spine precautions should be administered. NOTE: Because of the difficulty removing the victim from the space, optimum C-spine precautions may not be possible. g. If the victim is conscious, he/she should be encouraged to wear the appropriate breathing apparatus. VII. PATIENT PACKAGING a. After treatment of immediate life threatening injuries, the victim(s) should be packaged up for removal from the space. This may include using a backboard, stokes basket, ked board, LSP half back, or some other similar device designed for extrication. b. Prior to removal from the space, the entry team should secure any loose webbing, buckles, straps, or any other device that may hinder the extrication process. VIII. VICTIM REMOVAL SYSTEM a. Prior to removal of victim, the entry team should have determined the appropriate method of extrication. This may include a vertical or horizontal haul system constructed of ropes, pulleys, and other hardware, with a minimum of a 2:1 mechanical advantage. b. As a general rule, entry personnel should never allow the victim between the rescuer and the point of egress. Always try to avoid being blocked in by a victim. c. At times, the situation may preclude the use of that procedure due to the fact that one rescuer may have to pull the victim while the other rescuer pushes the victim. NOTE: IF the victim is a 901-H, Extrication Group may want to leave the body and related equipment in place for investigative purposes. d. Communicate your decisions to command. e. Assure as much c-spine control as is possible based on the space and the victim s condition. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 7 of 12
f. Use removal systems on the exterior that are applicable to the size and weight of the victim. g. Mechanical advantage systems are much preferred over manual hauling. h. Do not use electric winches, etc., to remove victims. i. Decide if the victim is to be removed head first or feet first. j. Avoid the use of wristlets on patients with burns to the extremities. k. Access the need for air transport early in the incident. IX. TRANSFER TO TREATMENT GROUP a. Immediately after reaching the point of egress, entry personnel shall transfer the victim to treatment personnel. b. ALS level examination should be conducted on the victim c. If the victim is contaminated from product inside the space, a Decontamination Group and corridor shall be set up and used prior to transport of victim. Phase IV. Termination I. PREPARATION FOR TERMINATION a. Personnel accountability (PAR). b. Remove tools and equipment used for rescue/recovery. If there has been a fatality, Extrication Group may consider leaving tools and equipment in place for investigative purposes. c. If entry personnel and/or equipment have been contaminated during the rescue/recovery, proper decontamination procedures shall be followed prior to putting the equipment back in service. d. Secure the scene. Prior to turning the property back over to the R.P., one final reading of atmospheres shall be taken and recorded. Command may consider activating the CID if the situation dictates it. e. Consider debriefing. f. Complete required paperwork. g. Return to service. Groups/Divisions I. ESTABLISH COMMAND EARLY Establish organization as appropriate a. Assign Safety Group. b. Assign Lobby Group. c. Assign Ventilation Group. d. Assign Extrication Group. e. Assign Rescue Group. f. Assign Hazard Group when T.R.T. or H.M.R.T. units arrive. g. Assign Medical Group. h. Assign Staging Group. i. Assign Resource Group. SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 8 of 12
II. CONSIDER AMBIENT CONDITIONS a. Heat. Consider rotation of crews. b. Cold. Consider effects of hypothermia on victim and rescuers. c. Rain. Consider the effects of rain on the hazard profile. d. Time of Day. Is there sufficient lighting for operations extending into the night. e. Consider the effect on family and friends; keep family informed. f. Consider news media; assign a P.I.O. g. Command should call for an OSHA representative if there has been a serious injury or death SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 9 of 12
Primary Assessment Travis County Emergency Services District #1 COMMAND TACTICAL WORKSHEET CONFINED SPACE RESCUE Secure job foreman or RP Secure confined space entry permit Determine location, number and condition of victim(s) Rescue/recovery mode Secondary Assessment Type of confined space Product(s) in confined space Hazard(s) to rescuers (haz mat, structural, hot/cold) Assess need for additional personnel Assess need for additional equipment Sectorize Safety Hazardous Materials Extrication (Technical Rescue) Operations (Technical Rescue) EMS (treatment, transport) Staging PIO Police Liaison Rescue Operations Make general area safe (traffic control, etc.) Make rescue area safe o Structural stability o Atmospheric monitoring o Ventilation Lock-out/blank-out/tag-out Entry personnel Back-up personnel (1:1) Personal protective equipment Air supply (SABA) Communication and lighting (explosion proof) Victim removal equipment SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 10 of 12
Transfer to ALS treatment Decontamination Termination PAR (personnel accountability) Removal of equipment Decontamination Atmospheric monitoring CISD OSHA SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 11 of 12
SOG Revision Record Version Number Date Reason for Revision 1 07/09/2015 Document Release SOG D2 Version Date: 07/09/2015 Page 12 of 12